Previous occasions when Blues have met same opponents in quick succession in both league and cup

Arouna Kone of Everton (L) and Yaya Toure in the Everton tunnel after the Capital One Cup Semi Final: First Leg match between Everton and Manchester City at Goodison Park on January 06, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)

Many Evertonians have been left frustrated that there is a three-week gap between their Capital One Cup semi-final legs with Manchester City but an added spanner in the works is Wednesday's Premier League encounter between the sides at the Etihad Stadium that has been sandwiched between the two games.

Not only will the two teams lock horns three times in as many weeks with the next encounter providing a 'dress rehearsal' for the cup return match, Everton and City's Under 18s played each other on Saturday while the Under 21s are scheduled to meet on Monday.

Come the end of January, the Royal Blues and Sky Blues from either side of the East Lancs Road could be forgiven for being sick of the sight of each other.

It seems to be a common occurrence in football that you draw a team from the same division in the cup that you'll be playing them in the league either just before or just after and for Everton that's often been the case.

Over the past 25 seasons the Blues have faced the same opposition in a league game within a month of a cup tie on no fewer than 15 occasions and those prolonged battles have often proven memorable.

2013/14 v Arsenal

With QPR and Stevenage both swatted aside 4-0 and Swansea beaten 3-1 – even Lacina Traore nicked one – the Blues went into their FA Cup quarter-final at the Emirates on March 8 in good form.

Roberto Martinez raised a few eyebrows when he kept with his 'cup keeper' policy of selecting Joel Robles ahead of Tim Howard for such a big game and despite matching the Gunners for three quarters of this contest with Romelu Lukaku cancelling out Mesut Ozil's early opener, the eventual cup winners ran riot late on with a penalty from Goodison old boy Mikel Arteta and late double from Olivier Giroud to prove easy 4-1 victors.

Football - Everton v Arsenal - Barclays Premier League - Goodison Park - 6/4/14 Everton's Romelu Lukaku celebrates with manager Roberto Martinez after scoring the second goal for his side

It was all change though at Goodison on April 6 as a rampant Everton triumphed 3-0 thanks to strikes from Steven Naismith, Lukaku and an Arteta own goal.

The Blues victory was their sixth in a row and a seventh at Sunderland the following weekend saw them leapfrog Arsenal – who had been top of the Premier League at the turn of the year – into fourth place in the table and a Champions League qualification spot.

But while Martinez's men won the battle, Wenger's boys – who have now made it into European football's elite competition for 17 consecutive seasons – won the war and were unbeaten in their final six Premier League fixtures to cling on to fourth despite the Blues club record Premier League points haul.

2011/12 v Sunderland

Following a frustrating 1-1 draw at home to Sunderland in an FA Cup quarter-final when Tim Cahill (23) earned a replay after Phil Bardsley's 12 minute opener, the Blues – knowing that neighbours Liverpool were waiting for a semi-final showdown at Wembley - did the business in style in their Stadium of Light replay, back by a huge travelling army of fans.

On March 27, the free-scoring Nikica Jelavic (24) fired them ahead before a comical own goal from David Vaughan (57) secured their Merseyside Derby in the capital.

Nikica Jelavic, Everton FC

David Moyes' men would infamously lose that game 2-1 despite going ahead but they warmed up for that fixture with a 4-0 stroll against the Black Cats at Goodison on Easter Monday (April 9) as Magaye Gueye (52), Steven Pienaar (75), Leon Osman (76) and Victor Anichebe (81) struck in an emphatic second half display.

2011/12 v Chelsea

Everton were well-beaten 3-1 at Stamford Bridge in a Premier League encounter on October 15 with Daniel Sturridge (15), John Terry (45) and Ramires (61) all netting for the Londoners before an 81 minute consolation from substitute Apostolos Vellios.

Just 11 days later the sides met in a Carling Cup fourth round tie at Goodison with Chelsea again triumphing, this time 2-1 after extra time.

Andre Villas-Boas' side went ahead on 38 minutes through Salomon Kalou but the hosts were handed a lifeline on 58 minutes when Chelsea goalkeeper Ross Turnbull was sent off for a professional foul after tripping Louis Saha in the area.

But rather than disadvantage the visitors, they upgraded their custodian by bringing on Petr Cech as a substitute (for Lukaku interestingly), and with his first touch he saved Leighton Baines' resultant spot kick.

Saha sent the game into extra time with an 83 minute leveller but the Blues were also reduced to 10 men when Royston Drenthe got his marching orders for a second booking on 107 minutes and just four minutes before what would have been a penalty shoot-out, Sturridge settled the tie.

2008/09 v Liverpool

Two trips to Anfield in the space of six days (January 19, Premier League and January 25, FA Cup) produced a brace of 1-1 draws.

In the first game, Cahill (87) secured a point after Steven Gerrard had put the Reds ahead on 68 minutes while the fourth round tie saw Joleon Lescott (27) nudge the Blues in front before Gerrard struck again on 54 minutes.

Everton's Dan Gosling celebrates scoring his sides first goal of the game with teammates

The Cup replay decider on February 4 is best remembered for the goal that so many television viewers never saw.

As Dan Gosling enjoyed the high point of his fledgling career to break the deadlock two minutes from the end of extra time, ITV had accidentally cut to an advertisement break on various networks.

2006/07 v Arsenal

This year the Gunners will mark a decade at the new Emirates Stadium home.

Everton have yet to win there but Cahill had fired them into an early lead on their first ever visit when he pounced 11 minutes into a league encounter on October 28 but Robin van Persie rescued a point on 71 minutes.

Everton's Tim Cahill (centre) celebrates after scoring against Arsenal during the Barclays Premiership match at Emirates Stadium, London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Saturday October 28, 2006. Photo credit should read: Sean Dempsey/PA.THIS PICTURE CAN ONLY BE USED WITHIN THE CONTEXT OF AN EDITORIAL FEATURE. NO WEBSITE/INTERNET USE UNLESS SITE IS REGISTERED WITH FOOTBALL ASSOCIATION PREMIER LEAGUE.

A week and a half later on November 8, the sides met again in a Carling Cup fourth round match at Goodison.

Reduced to 10 men just 19 minutes in when James McFadden was sent off, the Blues were beaten 1-0 as Emmanuel Adebayor struck on 85 minutes.

2005/06 v Middlesbrough

Having finished fourth the previous season, Moyes men endured a woeful start to the campaign, losing 11 of their first 14 fixtures – a sequence that included two European exits to Villarreal in a Champions League qualifier and Dinamo Bucharest in the UEFA Cup.

That wretched run culminated with a 1-0 Carling Cup exit at home to Middlesbrough on October 26 as Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink netted on 38 minutes.

Everton's James Beattie heads the only goal of the game

The sides met again at Goodison on November 6 when James Beattie's 16 minute goal handed the Blues a belated first three points on their own turf that season.

2003/04 v Fulham

Two goals in two minutes either side of the interval from future Blue Saha (45 penalty) and Steed Malbranque (46) ensured Kevin Kilbane's 81 minute effort was a mere consolation in a league game at Craven Cottage on January 10.

Everton always beat Fulham at Goodison in the league but this time they met in an FA Cup fourth round tie on January 25 and it took a last-gasp equaliser from substitute Francis Jeffers to earn a replay after former Blues target Sean Davis (49) had put the Londoners ahead.

Francis Jeffers of Everton celebrates scoring his late equalising goal with Wayne Rooney during the FA Cup Fourth Round match between Everton and Fulham at Goodison Park on January 25, 2004 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Jeffers, on-loan at his former club from Arsenal, repeated the trick back in the capital when he sent the replay on February 4 into extra time with a 90 minute effort after Junichi Inamoto (57) had put the hosts ahead but Malbranque was on target again on 102 minutes to put Chris Coleman's team through.

2002/03 v Chelsea

Not the best of weeks in Moyes' first season as Blues boss as his side shipped seven goals in two defeats to the same side in the space of four days.

On December 4, Chelsea ran riot at Stamford Bridge in a League Cup fourth round tie as Hasselbaink (26, 71), Emmanuel Petit (44) and Mario Stanic (69) put them 4-0 up before Gary Naysmith's scant consolation 10 minutes from the end.

Everton's Gary Naysmith scores against Chelsea

The following Saturday at Goodison (December 7) saw the Scot register again on 43 minutes in a league game but the visitors were already 2-0 up through Stanic (5) and Hasselbaink (28) and there was more misery in the last minute as Jesper Gronjkaer added a third and David Unsworth was sent off.

1997/98 v Coventry City

In what was arguably the most miserable Everton season in living memory, they were dumped out of the League Cup by Coventry City 4-1 on October 15,

Marcus Hall (6), John Salako (33, 59) and Simon Haworth (62) struck for the Sky Blues with Nick Barmby (16) netting the only reply for the visitors but the night remains infamous for what happened AFTER the game with Craig Short having an on-field row with manager Howard Kendall when asked to perform a warm-down.

The 'other time' Everton played Coventry City in the league in 1997/98

A league clash at Highfield Road 10 days later finished goalless and was much more forgettable.

1994/95 v Norwich City

Still stuck in the relegation zone, Joe Royle's side scraped a welcome 2-1 over Norwich in the league on February 4 as Graham Stuart (42) and Paul Rideout (65) put them on their way before Mike Milligan – he of the rather anonymous 1990/91 season with the Blues – pulled one back for Norwich 10 minutes from the end.

Anders Limpar

On their way to FA Cup glory and their last trophy to date, the Dogs of War were far more emphatic a fortnight later as they clipped the Canaries' wings in a 5-0 fifth round mauling with Anders Limpar (7), Joe Parkinson (24), Rideout (56), Duncan Ferguson (63) and Stuart (88) all on target.

1992/93 v Wimbledon

Funds are always tight in the New Year after Christmas and even the fans got fed up with this pairing.

Although Wimbledon had triumphed 2-1 in an FA Cup third round replay at Goodison on January 12 with efforts from John Fashanu (35) and Robbie Earle (50) before Dave Watson (67) pulled one back, a goalless draw in the first game on January 2 had put off supporters of the south London club by the time they clashed for the first time in a month on January 26.

Wimbledon 1-3 Everton, League match at Selhurst Park, Tuesday 26th January 1993. Official attendance, 3039, the lowest for a Premier League match. Ian Snodin, with team mates, after scoring goal.

A Premier League all-time low crowd of just 3,039 saw a salmon pink clad Everton win 3-1 thanks to a Tony Cottee double (61. 71) and Ian Snodin strike (73) before Fashanu (75) gave what was left of the home 'faithful' something to cheer about of sorts.

1991/92 v Leeds United

It was always going to be Howard's Way as Kendall locked horns with Wilkinson but it was the Yorkshireman – on his way to steering his side to the title – who was to prove victorious in two meetings in the space of a week.

Despite being reduced to 10 men after Chris Fairclough's 64 minute dismissal, Leeds won 1-0 at Elland Road in a league game on November 30 courtesy of Rod Wallace's 87 minute goal.

Gary Speed of Leeds United

In a League Cup tie at Goodison on December 4 they were even stronger. Dutchman Ray Atteveld put the Blues ahead on 20 minutes but Leeds hit back through lifelong Everton fan and future midfielder Gary Speed (27), Lee Chapman (39) and a quickfire Wallace double (54, 55).

1990/91 v Liverpool

February is the shortest month of the year but back in 1991, three FA Cup replays ensured four Merseyside Derbies were squeezed in just over three weeks.

First was a First Division encounter at Anfield on February 9 which the Reds, who were reigning League Champions, won 3-1 as Pat Nevin's 45 minute effort was eclipsed by goals from Jan Molby (16) and a David Speedie double (49, 52).

The following weekend the rivals met again at Anfield, playing out a goalless draw in the fifth round of the FA Cup on February 17 but three days later on February 20 saw one of the most memorable matches in the history of the fixture.

Two giants of the game: Ian Rush of Liverpool and Everton's Graeme Sharp

A 4-4 draw after extra time at Goodison as Liverpool went ahead four times through future Blue, Peter Beardsley (32, 71), boyhood Blue Ian Rush (77) and John Barnes (102) only for Everton to peg them back on each occasion through Graeme Sharp (46, 73) and substitute Cottee (89, 114).

It all proved too much for Reds boss Kenny Dalgish who resigned before the second replay that Everton won 1-0 on February 27 thanks to a 12 minute goal from boyhood Kopite Dave Watson.

1990/91 v Sunderland

The Full Members Cup – which was by this stage the Zenith Data Systems Cup – was what is often disparagingly referred to as a 'Mickey Mouse' competition.

Created at the time of the post-Heysel European ban, it was an extra trophy for clubs in the top two divisions of English football to go for.

Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur (the other four members of what was then the so-called 'big five' with Everton) never bothered to enter it.

Tony Cottee of Everton

The Blues did and their five lowest home crowds in history all came in this competition.

One of these paltry attendances (third lowest) was a mere 4,609 for the ZDS Cup game against Sunderland on January 22, 1991.

The stay-away fans missed a treat though as Cottee grabbed all four goals (27, 72, 75, 87) in a 4-1 win with Wearside stalwart Kevin Ball (65) hitting the visitors consolation.

The sides clashed again in the First Division on February 2 with Kevin Sheedy putting the Blues ahead on the hour with a penalty rebound after his initial shot was saved by Tony Norman and the somersaulting Peter Beagrie sealing a 2-0 win seven minutes later.

1990/91 v Sheffield United

In the autumn of 1990 Everton visited Bramall Lane twice in a week and a half – with two different managers.

Colin Harvey suffered a Halloween horror show on October 31 as his tenure as Blues boss ended a day after a 2-1 League Cup exit to the newly-promoted Blades as Carl Bradshaw (64) and Brian Deane (79) put Dave Bassett's side in control before a John Pemberton own goal (83) pulled one back.

Everton manager Howard Kendall (r), seated alongside his predecessor and assistant Colin Harvey (l), waves to the fans before the start of the first match of his second spell in charge of the Blues

By the time Everton crossed the Pennines again on November 10, Kendall had returned from Manchester City for a second spell as manager – with old pal Harvey reinstalled as his number two – and they drew 0-0 in his first game back in charge.